Firstsite
{{Short description|Contemporary art gallery in Colchester, Essex, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2023}}
{{infobox museum
|name = Firstsite
|image = Firstsite art gallery in Colchester.jpg
|caption = Firstsite art gallery in Colchester
|image_size =
|established = 2011
|map_type = Essex
|map_caption = Location within Essex
|map_alt =
|coordinates = {{coord|51.889|0.906|display=inline}}
|location = Colchester, Essex, England
|director = Sally Shaw
|website = {{URL|firstsite.uk}}
|network =
}}
Firstsite is a visual arts organisation based in Colchester, Essex, which opened in 1993 as Colchester and District Visual Arts Trust, changing its name to Firstsite in 1995.{{Cite web |title=Our History |url=https://firstsite.uk/about-firstsite/our-history-2/ |access-date=2023-03-10 |website=Firstsite |language=en-GB}} Its current building was opened in 2011.{{cite web |url=http://www.firstsite.uk.net/page/3035/New+building |title=firstsite |publisher=Firstsite |date=2011-12-09 |access-date=2011-12-15 |archive-date=24 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111024034635/http://www.firstsite.uk.net/page/3035/New+building |url-status=dead }}
It was the national Art Fund's Museum of the Year in 2021.{{cite web|title=Firstsite in Colchester wins the Art Fund Museum of the Year 2021 award|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/20QkzGJ7KjP5z02s5tgr8w0/firstsite-in-colchester-wins-the-art-fund-museum-of-the-year-2021-award|publisher=BBC|date=2021-09-21|access-date=2021-09-21}}
The building Firstsite occupies as a tenant was designed by Rafael Viñoly and the freehold is retained by Colchester Council.{{cite web |url=http://www.colchester.gov.uk/article/17564/Firstsite |title=firstsite |publisher=Colchester Borough Council |date=2018-01-01 |access-date=2018-01-26 |archive-date=27 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127084521/http://www.colchester.gov.uk/article/17564/Firstsite |url-status=dead }} The building is situated in Colchester's "Cultural Quarter" near The Minories, Colchester, fifteen Queen Street (a creative business hub), the Norman Colchester Castle, the Natural History Museum, Hollytrees Museum and Colchester's Roman Wall.
Its exhibits are on a rolling six-monthly basis, starting with Camulodunum.{{cite web |url=http://www.firstsite.uk.net/page/144/Camulodunum/262 |title=firstsite |publisher=Firstsite |date=2011-12-09 |access-date=2011-12-15 |archive-date=1 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111201052340/http://www.firstsite.uk.net/page/144/Camulodunum/262 |url-status=dead }} It cooperated with Essex University to show South American art until 2013.{{cite web|url=http://en.artintern.net/index.php/review/main/html/1/3389 |title=University of Essex to rehouse its Latin American collection |publisher=artinternet.net |date=2014 |access-date=2016-06-11}}{{cite web|url=http://www.escala.org.uk/collection/works-on-display|title=Works on Display|publisher=ESCALA University of Essex|date=|access-date=2016-06-11|archive-date=23 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623135344/http://www.escala.org.uk/collection/works-on-display|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://www.firstsite.uk.net/page/144/Southern+Press/324 |title=firstsite |publisher=Firstsite |date=2011-12-09 |access-date=2011-12-15 |archive-date=26 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111026054951/http://firstsite.uk.net/page/144/Southern%20Press/324 |url-status=dead }} Firstsite has no permanent art collection of its own.{{cite web |url=https://www.artfund.org/what-to-see/museums-and-galleries/firstsite-colchester |title=firstsite |publisher=Art Fund |date=2018-01-01 |access-date=2018-01-26 |archive-date=27 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127143204/https://www.artfund.org/what-to-see/museums-and-galleries/firstsite-colchester |url-status=dead }}
It was awarded the national Art Fund Museum of the Year prize in 2021. Firstsite is a registered charity under English law.{{EW charity|1031800|Firstsite Limited}}
Exhibitions
- Camulodunum - artists including Ai Weiwei, Subodh Gupta, Barbara Hepworth, Sarah Lucas, Aleksandra Mir, Henry Moore, Grayson Perry, Robert Smithson, J. M. W. Turner, Andy Warhol, Rebecca Warren and Bill Woodrow, 30 September 2011 - 15 January 2012.{{Cite web |title=Camulodunum |url=https://www.cornerhousepublications.org/publications/camulodunum/ |access-date=2023-01-04 |website=Cornerhouse Publications |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=Aleksandra Mir - Camulodunum, Firstsite, Colchester |url=https://www.aleksandramir.info/bibliography/mclean-ferris_laura_camulodunum_firstsite_colchester_the-independent_london_oct-2011 |access-date=2023-01-04 |website=www.aleksandramir.info}}
- Steven Claydon: Culpable Earth – Steven Claydon, 4 February - 7 May 2012.{{Cite web |title=Steven Claydon : Culpable Earth |url=https://www.newexhibitions.com/e/23039 |access-date=2023-01-05 |website=www.newexhibitions.com}}
- Equivalents – Carl Andre, John Constable.
- News from Nowhere - artists including Lynda Benglis, Lygia Clark, Richard Deacon, Naum Gabo, Isa Genzken, Roger Hiorns, Nam June Paik, László Moholy-Nagy, John McCracken, Eduardo Paolozzi, Mark Titchner and Paul Thek, 20 May - 27 August 2012.{{Cite web |title=News from Nowhere - Exhibition at Firstsite in Colchester |url=https://www.artrabbit.com/events/news-from-nowhere |access-date=2023-01-05 |website=ArtRabbit |language=en}}
- Anthea Hamilton: Sorry I'm Late – Anthea Hamilton, 8 September 2012 - 25 November 2012.{{Cite web |title=Anthea Hamilton: Sorry I'm Late - Exhibition at Firstsite in Colchester |url=https://www.artrabbit.com/events/anthea-hamilton-sorry-im-late |access-date=2023-01-05 |website=ArtRabbit |language=en}}
- Painting, Collage, Film – Humphrey Jennings, 8 September 2012 - 25 November 2012.{{Cite web |title=Humphrey Jennings: Painting, Collage, Film - Exhibition at Firstsite in Colchester |url=https://www.artrabbit.com/events/humphrey-jennings-painting-collage-film |access-date=2023-01-04 |website=ArtRabbit |language=en}}
- Hammer Prints Limited 1954 - 1975 – Nigel Henderson & Eduardo Paolozzi, 8 January - 3 March 2013.{{Cite web |title=Nigel Henderson and Eduardo Paolozzi: Hammer Prints Limited 1954- 75 - Exhibition at Firstsite in Colchester |url=https://www.artrabbit.com/events/nigel-henderson-and-eduardo-paolozzi-hammer-prints-limited-1954-75 |access-date=2023-01-04 |website=ArtRabbit |language=en}}
- The Sea (Paintings of the North Norfolk Coast) – John Virtue, 13 June 2015 - 20 September 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.artrabbit.com/events/john-virtue-the-sea-1|title=John Virtue: The Sea|publisher=Art Rabbit |date=2015-06-09 |access-date=2018-01-29}}
- Assembled Paintings and Drawings – Chris Seaber, 6 September 2015 - 29 November 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.keepcolchestercool.co.uk/whats-on/chris-seaber-assembled-paintings-and-drawings//|title=Chris Seaber – Assembled Paintings and Drawings|publisher=Keep Colchester Cool |date=2015-09-06 |access-date=2018-01-29}}{{cite web|url=https://www.artrabbit.com/events/chris-seaber-assembled-paintings-and-drawings|title=Chris Seaber – Assembled Paintings and Drawings|publisher=Art Rabbit |date=2015-09-01 |access-date=2018-01-29}}
- The Firstsite Open Art Exhibition – Local Art Open Exhibition 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/13781542.First_open_art_exhibition/|title=First Open Art Exhibition|publisher=Colchester Gazette |date=2015-09-25 |access-date=2018-01-29}}{{cite web|url=http://essexstudios.org.uk/news/firstsite-open-exhibition|title=Firstsite Open Exhibition|publisher=ENAS|date=2015-07-23|access-date=2018-01-29}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
- Wood to Water – James Dodds, 12 December 2015 - 14 February 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/local/14137762.James_Dodds_floats_his_boat_at_Firstsite_once_again/|title=Wivenhoe artist James Dodds back at Firstsite Art Gallery|publisher=Colchester Gazette |date=2015-12-10 |access-date=2018-01-27}}{{Cite web |title=James Dodds - Wood to Water - Exhibition at Firstsite in Colchester |url=https://www.artrabbit.com/events/james-dodds-wood-to-water |access-date=2023-01-05 |website=ArtRabbit |language=en}}
- 70 Years of Colchester Art Society - artists include Cedric Morris, John Nash, Simon Carter and Valerie Thornton.{{cite web|url=https://www.artrabbit.com/events/70-years-of-colchester-art-society|title=70 Years of Colchester Art Society|publisher=Art Rabbit |date=2016-06-28 |access-date=2018-01-27}}{{cite web|url=https://www.simoncarterpaintings.co.uk/curriculumvitae/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141108075818/http://www.simoncarterpaintings.co.uk/curriculumvitae|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 November 2014|title=Simon Carter CV|publisher=Simon Carter website|date=2016-06-28|access-date=2018-01-28}}{{cite web|url=https://lineupnow.com/event/colchester-art-society-an-exhibition-celebrating-70-years-of-discovery|title=Colchester Art Society, an Exhibition Celebrating 70 Years of Discovery|publisher=Line Up|date=2016-06-28|access-date=2018-01-28|archive-date=29 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129004304/https://lineupnow.com/event/colchester-art-society-an-exhibition-celebrating-70-years-of-discovery|url-status=dead}}
- Introspective – Gee Vaucher."[http://www.firstsite.uk/whats-on/gee-vaucher-introspective/ Gee Vaucher: Introspective]", Firstsite. Accessed 22 July 2017
- Ed Gold: Other Worlds – Ed Gold, June - September 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.creativeboom.com/inspiration/essex/ |title=Ed Gold's fascinating and beautifully shot depictions of rural Essex life |last=Gosling|first=Emily|date=2017-06-19|access-date=2020-10-09}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-40250466|website=BBC.co.uk|access-date=2020-10-09 |title=Photographs reveal quirky world of Country Folk|date=2017-06-16 }}
- Lubaina Himid: Warp and Weft – Lubaina Himid, 1 July - 1 October 2017.{{Cite web |title=Lubaina Himid: Warp and Weft {{!}} What's On |url=https://firstsite.uk/event/lubaina-himid-warp-and-weft/ |access-date=2023-01-04 |website=Firstsite |language=en-GB}}
- Grayson Perry: The Life of Julie Cope – Grayson Perry, 18 November 2017 - 18 February 2018.{{Cite web |title=Grayson Perry: The Life of Julie Cope |url=https://firstsite.uk/event/grayson-perry-the-life-of-julie-cope/ |access-date=2023-01-06 |website=Firstsite |language=en-GB}}Mark Edwards "[http://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/tapestry-of-essex-everywoman-s-life-caught-at-grayson-perry-s-firstsite-show-1-5318579 Tapestry of Essex Everywoman’s life caught at Grayson Perry’s Firstsite show] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109235457/http://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/tapestry-of-essex-everywoman-s-life-caught-at-grayson-perry-s-firstsite-show-1-5318579 |date=9 January 2018 }}", Ipswich Star, 12 December 2017. Accessed 9 January 2018
- Power for the People – Rose Finn-Kelcey, December 2017 - March 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.visitcolchester.com/Colchester-Rose-Finn-Kelcey-Power-for-the-People/details/?dms=3&feature=2284&venue=0650034|title=Rose Finn-Kelcey: Power for the People|publisher=Visit Colchester|date=2017-12-02 |access-date=2018-02-14}}
- Life with Art: Benton End and the East Anglian School of Painting and Drawing, 11 December 2021 - 18 April 2022.{{Cite web|title=Life with Art: Benton End and the East Anglian School of Painting and Drawing|url=https://firstsite.uk/event/life-with-art/|access-date=2022-02-16|website=Firstsite|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|title=Life with Art|url=https://www.colchesterartsociety.co.uk/life-with-art|access-date=2022-02-16|website=Colchester Art Society|language=en-GB}}
- Denis Wirth-Miller: Landscapes and Beasts – Denis Wirth-Miller, 1 October 2022 - 22 January 2023.{{Cite web |title=Denis Wirth-Miller: Landscapes and Beasts |url=https://firstsite.uk/event/denis-wirth-miller-landscapes-and-beasts/ |access-date=2023-01-04 |website=Firstsite |language=en-GB}}
- Reena Saini Kallat: Leaking Lines – Reena Saini Kallat, 15 Oct 2022 - 16 Apr 2023.{{Cite web |title=Reena Saini Kallat: Leaking Lines |url=https://firstsite.uk/event/reena-saini-kallat-leaking-lines/ |access-date=2023-01-05 |website=Firstsite |language=en-GB}}
Critical appraisal
The gallery's opening received a considerable evaluation in the press. The Guardian criticized the sloping walls and the architect, Viñoly.{{cite news|author=Rowan Moore |url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2011/sep/17/rafael-vinoly-firstsite-colchester-review |title=Firstsite – review | Art and design |publisher=The Observer |date= 2011-09-18|access-date=2011-12-15 |location=London}} It also examined it in terms of the economic expectations towards it and in comparison with other regional galleries.{{cite news|author=Maev Kennedy |url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2011/sep/22/colchester-firstsite-for-sore-eyes |title=Colchester's Firstsite for sore eyes | Art and design |publisher=The Guardian |date= 2011-09-22|access-date=2011-12-15 |location=London}} However, The Independent praised the inaugural exhibition Camulodunum.{{cite news|last=McLean |first=Laura |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/reviews/camulodunum-firstsite-colchester-2373694.html |title=Camulodunum, Firstsite, Colchester - Reviews - Art |publisher=The Independent |date=2011-10-21 |access-date=2011-12-15 |location=London}} The Daily Telegraph has criticized the expense of the project,{{cite news|author=Art |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/8827535/firstsite-gallery-Colchester-25-million-well-spent.html |title=firstsite gallery, Colchester: £25 million well-spent? |publisher=The Daily Telegraph |date= 2011-10-14|access-date=2011-12-15 |location=London}} which cost £25,542,701 to build, and also highlighted concerns that more than half of its 147,000 annual visitors only entered to use the lavatory.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/10638056/28m-Firstsite-Gallery-only-used-by-people-to-spend-a-penny.html |title=Firstsite gallery only used by people to spend a penny|publisher=www.telegraph.co.uk|date=2014-02-14 |access-date=2018-01-27}} In 2015 Firstsite had its status as an Arts Council funded National Portfolio Organisation withdrawn.{{cite web|url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/local/colchester/11790884.Firstsite_in_funding_crisis/|publisher=Colchester Gazette|title=Firstsite in Funding Crisis|date=2015-02-15 |access-date=2018-01-27}}{{cite web|url=https://www.a-n.co.uk/news/firstsite-to-lose-arts-council-england-npo-status |title=Firstsite to Lose Arts Council England NPO Status|publisher=Artists Newsletter|date=2015-02-16 |access-date=2018-01-27}} The Arts Council consequently reduced their annual subsidy to Firstsite by £10 per year from £814,527 to £814,517.{{cite web|url=https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/news/eno-and-firstsite-gallery-lose-national-portfolio-status|title=Firstsite Gallery Lose National Portfolio Status|publisher=www.artsprofessional.co.uk|date=2015-02-15 |access-date=2018-01-27}}
In February 2018 it was announced that Firstsite had returned to Arts Council 'National Portfolio Organisation' status despite having only recorded 131,663 visitors in the previous year and having made a loss of £243,000. The return to 'National Portfolio Organisation' status for Firstsite saw an increase in funding of £5 per year,{{clarify|date= September 2021|reason= Not in citation}} to £814,512 per year, secured for four years.{{cite web|url= http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/15982499.Firstsite_has_finally_turned_the_corner____despite___243k_loss_last_year/ |title= Firstsite has finally turned the corner... despite £243k loss last year
|publisher= www.gazette-news.co.uk |date=2018-02-09 |access-date=2018-02-13}} On 22 March 2018 it was announced Dr Noorzaman Rashid, Robert Surnam and Helen Organ resigned from their roles as trustees at Firstsite.{{cite web|url=http://www.chelmsfordweeklynews.co.uk/news/16103658.firstsite-boss-had-to-go-as-questions-continue-to-linger-over-100k-payments/|title=Firstsite boss 'had to go' as questions continue to linger over £100k payments|publisher=Chelmsford and Mid Essex Times|date=2018-03-22 |access-date=2018-03-27}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/16108975.So__who_authorised_Firstsite_s___100k_payments_to_under_fire_HR_firm_/|title=Questions over £100k payments to HR firm|publisher=Colchester Gazette|date=2018-03-23 |access-date=2018-03-27}}{{cite web|url=https://jumbonews.co.uk/2018/03/22/firstsite-trustees-resign-as-company-instructs-auditors/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327212754/https://jumbonews.co.uk/2018/03/22/firstsite-trustees-resign-as-company-instructs-auditors/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=27 March 2018|title=Firstsite trustees resign as company instructs auditors|publisher=Jumbo News|date=2018-03-22 |access-date=2018-03-27}}
In 2021, Ai Weiwei was invited to submit a piece for the virtual UK art exhibition The Great Big Art Exhibition, which was organised by Firstsite. Ai's piece, called Postcard for Political Prisoners, incorporated a photograph of the running machine used by Assange in the Ecuadorian embassy. After initially accepting Ai's idea, Firstsite's director said that it could not include his project "due to time constraints, and because it did not fit with the concept of the exhibition". Ai said he thought the reason for the rejection was that the exhibition did not "want to touch on a topic like Assange".{{cite news |last1=Batty |first1=David |title=Ai Weiwei accuses curators of rejecting artwork over Julian Assange content |url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2021/jun/02/ai-weiwei-accuses-curators-of-rejecting-artwork-over-julian-assange-content?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other |access-date=3 June 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=2 June 2021 |language=en}}
See also
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
- The Hepworth Wakefield
- Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art
- Turner Contemporary
- Tate St Ives
- Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art
- Nottingham Contemporary
{{div col end}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|firstsite.uk}}
- [http://www.colchester.gov.uk/service_landing_level_2.asp?sec_id=4347 Colchester Borough Council webpage] {{Webarchive|url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20111021083209/https%3A//www.colchester.gov.uk/service_landing_level_2.asp?sec_id%3D4347 |date=21 October 2011 }}
{{authority control}}
Category:Art museums and galleries established in 2011
Category:Arts centres in England
Category:Contemporary art galleries in England
Category:Buildings and structures in Colchester (town)
Category:2011 establishments in England